A $5,000 donation to a remote drought stricken town located more than 500km south west of Port Stephens has forged a closer relationship between the two local government areas. The Salamander Bay Recycling Centre was prompted to act following an idea floated by Examiner fishing columnist John ‘Stinker’ Clarke who has started a campaign urging coastal towns, such as Port Stephens, unaffected by the harsh realities of bush living to provide support in times of need. At the July board meeting of the recycle centre, it was unanimously agreed that they follow up on ‘Stinker’ Clarke’s suggestion and support the drought affected Hilltops Council area in south west NSW. The centre’s general manager Gerrard McClafferty said that there was no resistance from board members to make the $5,000 pledge. “What’s more I was instructed to get into my vehicle with cheque in hand and make the 7-hour road trip immediately to the town of Boorowa,” Mr McClafferty said. “It was a great opportunity to see first hand the impact of the drought in rural NSW.” On arrival, Mr McClafferty said that he was met by the town’s tourism heads, who were in the process of planning ‘A Day for the Blokes’ raising money and awareness for mental health. “Drought does not just affect the environment, there is a human element as well with mental health and suicide just some of the consequences,” he said. “So it was great to be able to support the town’s fundraising efforts and also show solidarity with those people suffering from the bush.”

The Salamander Bay Recycling Centre was prompted to act following an idea floated by Examiner fishing columnist John ‘Stinker’ Clarke who has started a campaign urging coastal towns, such as Port Stephens, unaffected by the harsh realities of bush living to provide support in times of need.

At the July board meeting of the recycle centre, it was unanimously agreed that they follow up on ‘Stinker’ Clarke’s suggestion and support the drought affected Hilltops Council area in south west NSW.

The centre’s general manager Gerrard McClafferty said that there was no resistance from board members to make the $5,000 pledge.

“What’s more I was instructed to get into my vehicle with cheque in hand and make the 7-hour road trip immediately to the town of Boorowa,” Mr McClafferty said.

“It was a great opportunity to see first hand the impact of the drought in rural NSW.”

On arrival, Mr McClafferty said that he was met by the town’s tourism heads, who were in the process of planning ‘A Day for the Blokes’ raising money and awareness for mental health.

“Drought does not just affect the environment, there is a human element as well with mental health and suicide just some of the consequences,” he said.

“So it was great to be able to support the town’s fundraising efforts and also show solidarity with those people suffering from the bush.”